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Guar Gum Reduces Postprandial Hypotension in Older People
Author(s) -
Jones Karen L.,
MacIntosh Caroline,
Su YuChung,
Wells Fiona,
Chapman Ian M.,
Tonkin Anne,
Horowitz Michael
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.49037.x
Subject(s) - postprandial , medicine , gastric emptying , guar gum , blood pressure , ingestion , insulin , endocrinology , guar , diabetes mellitus , stomach , food science , chemistry , pathology
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether slowing of gastric emptying and glucose absorption with guar gum would reduce the fall in blood pressure after an oral glucose load in older subjects. DESIGN: A randomized, experimental, cross‐over study. SETTING: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Ten healthy subjects, age 67 to 78. MEASUREMENTS: Simultaneous measurements of gastric emptying, blood pressure, blood glucose, serum insulin, and oral glucose absorption (3‐O‐methyl‐D‐glucose [3‐OMG]) on two occasions after ingestion of 300 mL water containing 50 g glucose and 30 mL lemon juice, 3 g 3‐OMG labeled with 99m Tc‐sulphur colloid; with or without 9 g guar gum. Blood pressure and gastric emptying were monitored for 180 minutes. RESULTS: The magnitude of the falls in systolic ( P = .02), diastolic ( P < .05), and mean arterial ( P = .05) blood pressure were less, and gastric emptying slower ( P < .05), after guar. Blood glucose, insulin, and 3‐OMG concentrations were reduced ( P < .001 for all) by guar. 3‐OMG concentrations were inversely related to the intragastric retention of glucose ( r = −0.72, P = .02) and blood pressure was inversely related to 3‐OMG ( r = −0.64, P < .05) after the drink without guar. The blood glucose concentration was related to 3‐OMG ( r > 0.64, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Guar gum reduces the magnitude of the fall in blood pressure after oral glucose. Slowing of gastric emptying and glucose absorption may represent a novel approach to the treatment of postprandial hypotension.